We are not accepting applications for the position of U.S. Postal Inspector at this time.

HOW TO APPLY

Computer System ReqirementsYou will need these computer specifications to apply for this position:

PC with mouse and keyboard

2 GHz Pentium or better

High-speed Internet

Windows XP or Windows 7 (Windows 8 touch screen is not recommended)

2 GB of RAM or better

on

100 GB of hard drive space before launching the test

1024 x 768 screen resolution or higher, 16 million colors (24 bit)

15”, 17”, or 19” video monitor, vertically aligned

Internet Explorer 7 or higher or Firefox 12 or higher

Registration & Account Validation

Applicants must create an account with a user ID and password.

Select Applicant Registration at the top of the page to initiate the application process. This feature is accessible only during open announcement periods.

On the New Account page, complete all fields with an asterisk.

Select Create User. You will be advised to check your email for further instructions.

Look for an email with this subject line: New Account Validation. It will confirm your new account and instruct you to copy and paste a URL into the web browser.

A new message will appear: User has been validated.

Select Click Here to log in.

You may now begin the application process.

Create Profile

Enter all fields and select Save.

If you need to change information after saving, select My Profile.

You may edit your profile on the View Profile page.

Applicants Who Are ReapplyingYou will need to validate your Social Security number if you wish to reapply for this position. On the application page, you will be instructed to send an email to PIRecruitment@uspis.gov. Once your SSN is validated, you will receive an email advising if you are eligible to reapply.

Application InformationYou must provide information related to the following for your application:

We recommend that you save each page of your online application as you progress through the application process.

ONCE YOU’VE CREATED AN ONLINE PROFILE AND ARE NOTIFIED THAT YOUR APPLICATION MEETS OUR REQUIREMENTS, YOU’LL NEED TO COMPLETE THE STEPS DESCRIBED BELOW.

EXAM PART 1

If you are deemed eligible to apply for this position, you will receive an email advising you to log into your account to take the Exam, Part 1.

You must complete the exam within 3 calendar days. If you do not successfully complete the exam within that time, you will be given no further consideration for this position.

This is a timed, multiple-choice exam in three parts: 1. Deductive Reasoning 2. Inductive Reasoning 3. Life Experience

ELECTRONIC COMPREHENSIVE APPLICATION PACKET

If you successfully complete the Exam, Part 1, you will receive an email and a link to complete the Electronic Comprehensive Application Packet (eCAP). You must complete eCAP and submit it within 5 calendar days.

Follow the instructions for eCAP in the email. Then complete and submit these forms with the eCAP:

SF 144, Prior Federal Civilian & Military Service Statement

Drug Policy

Possession of Firearms

You will be given no further consideration if you do not complete these steps within the allotted time frame.

You will need to provide this information for eCAP:

Personal information (contact information and citizenship)

Five-year residence history

Other names used

High school

College or university

Honors and special skills

10-year work history

Military service

Veterans questions

Assets

Liabilities

Student loans

Driver’s license information

Driving accidents

Driving violations

You will also need these documents:

Certified copy or original birth certificate

Official college or university transcripts

Preference-eligible veterans must also provide a DD-214, SF-15, and documentation supporting the preference claimed. See our FAQs page for more information.

ELECTRONIC QUESTIONNAIRE INVESTIGATIONS PROCESS

If you pass the eCAP, you will receive an email and link with instructions on how to complete the Electronic Questionnaire Investigations Process (eQIP).

You must submit a completed Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, as part of your application. All information must be accurate and complete. After certifying the information, you will need to upload signature forms and attach them in eQIP.

If you do not submit a completed eQIP with the required documents within seven calendar days, you will be given no further consideration for this position.

INFORMATION EXCHANGE

If you are a selected applicant you will receive an email asking that you participate in an information exchange. You must accept the invitation within 48 hours or you will be given no further consideration for this position.

For the information exchange, you will meet with a Postal Inspection Service representative at a designated facility. You will participate in a video presentation, a question-and-answer session, the Exam, Part 2, and a Business Writing Test.

You must bring with you a current, valid driver’s license and two completed fingerprint cards (you will receive blank fingerprint cards by mail prior to your scheduled session). Complete the fingerprint cards according to Applicant Processing Unit instructions.

You cannot participate in the information exchange if you do not have a valid, current driver’s license and completed fingerprint cards.

EXAM PART 2

You will be administered the Exam, Part 2, after the information exchange. It is a timed, multiple-choice exam. If you do not successfully complete the Exam, Part 2, you will be given no further consideration for this position.

BUSINESS WRITING TEST

If you pass the Exam, Part 2, you must complete a competency-based business writing test. Measurements of your writing samples will be evaluated to determine your writing abilities, organizational skills, and grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary skills.

If you do not successfully complete this test, you will be given no further consideration for this position.

LANGUAGE EXAM

If you pass the Business Writing Test and can speak a language other than English, you will be administered a Language Exam to assess your proficiency.

ASSESSMENT CENTER

Applicants who have passed Exam 2 and the Business Writing Test may be invited to attend the Assessment Center for evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and abilities. The evaluation consists of exercises that assess the seven core competencies required of successful Postal Inspectors.

During the Assessment Center evaluation, you will be administered a polygraph examination. The polygraph validates information such as drug use, criminal history, and integrity. You must successfully pass the polygraph exam to continue the process.

MANAGEMENT INTERVIEW

You may be invited to be interviewed by U.S. Postal Inspection Service managers. The interview consists of general and behavioral questions, an overview of the Postal Inspector position, and training requirements..

CONDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT OFFER

Based on the needs of the agency, qualified applicants may receive a conditional employment offer, including notification of a duty location. If a conditional job offer is extended, employment is contingent on successful completion of a drug screening and a medical examination, to be scheduled by the Postal Inspection Service.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

After a conditional offer of employment, you will need to undergo a background investigation. The investigation includes, but is not limited to, credit and criminal history checks, interviews with associates, personal and business reference checks, past employer and neighbor checks, and verification of educational achievements.

TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT

Basic Inspector Training is a 12-week, residential program held in Potomac, MD. Successful completion is a condition of employment. After graduation, newly appointed Postal Inspectors report to their assigned duty locations.

Non-postal candidates serve a two-year probation period from the date of appointment. Preference-eligible veteran candidates serve a one-year probation period from the date of appointment.